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William and Kate Host BBC Radio One at Kensington Palace + Mental Health Meeting

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Harry and Meghan's first tour is in full swing Down Under, but amid the hubbub and excitement you might be asking yourself, what is Kate the Great up to these days? She is a busy, albeit under-the-radar, bee. The Court Circular announced that on Wednesday, Kate and William had hosted the BBC Radio One Teen Heroes finalist at Kensington Palace for an afternoon reception. Today we got a few pictures! (notice the picture of W&K on the table!)

The couple have supported BBC Radio One's initiatives for several years now. They hosted the winners of the Teen Heroes Awards in 2016.

Just last year, the Cambridges made a surprise appearance on the radio to chat with the hosts as part of an event that supported Heads Together. They shared lots fun tidbits about their personal lives, and as always, it was fun to get a little peek into their chemistry together.

Wednesday's reception is another event in what appears to be a strong partnership between Radio One and the Cambridges to support mental health. Side note: it appears this room has gotten a bit of a makeover, with a new piece of art over the fireplace.

Kate is wearing a new dress from Whistles! We haven't seen her wear this label for some time. This is the Margot Dot Dress in burgundy , which retails for about $300.

Kate was wearing her Temple of Heaven earrings by Cassandra Goad, and it appears that she might be wearing her Praline pumps from Gianvito Rossi, which would be a great color combo in my book, since this burgundy is almost brown.

This dress does not make my heart sing, I will admit, but I am so excited to see Kate I really don't care. It does put us on notice that she has not left her penchant for midis behind as we roll into a new season of fall fashion, so those of you who wish this was't this year's band wagon, buckle up!! I think we have more midi shirt dresses in our future... Although, if you are reading this, Kate, feel free to avert course.

In other news, on Tuesday the 16th of October, Kate convened a meeting of experts in mental health at Kensington Palace. The gathering was to discuss the "Early Years" initiative, which is Kate's charitable area of concentration right now. You probably remember her address at a Heads Together event in March of this year, in which she discussed how important early intervention is for mental health:

Kate announced in September that she will be launching a new initiate in 2019 that will likely be the focus of her royal life, which is a remarkable commitment, frankly. In some sense, it is also a very humble focus. She isn't tackling any of the flashy issues of the day, but she really is dialing in on what is almost assuredly one of the most important.

I think we have seen, just from the small glimpse we have of her personal life, that Kate is an incredibly dedicated and thoughtful mother. Her very hands on experience appears to translate into an impressive depth of empathy and knowledge for the new task she is taking on.

There were no pictures released from Kate's morning meeting, but you probably remember the picture that was released back in November of 2017, when Kate convened a similar gathering on maternal mental health at Kensington Palace.

I am covering Harry and Meghan's tour on Instagram, so pop over there is you want my thoughts on her fashion choices for her first royal tour. I loved the Folded Sail dress yesterday, but that trench coat needs to go, guys. Anyway, more on the IG platform. See you there...

Karen do you think hairstyles affect how midi shift dresses are pulled off? Personally, I think Kate's taller body should, in theory, pull off a midi dress better. However, Meghan usually has more of a relaxed, modern, youthful, easy-going hairstyle and I wonder if that provides more "balance" to what people call a dowdy dress on Kate? Where as Kate tends to either have more traditional curls/waves or a coiffed hairdo. I love Kate and her style, so it isn't a criticism, I'm just trying to figure out why many people feel this way.For example, the model shown above wearing the dress is wearing sneakers and has a shorter beach-wavy hairdo - does that make it less dowdy and matronly?~ A

Yes the way the dress is styled on the model makes it look less matronly. But of course Kate can’t wear the dress the same way. I do think bc Kate’s hair is too coiffed sometimes that she comes off looking older than she is. However casual Kate comes off looking great bc her hair is not as curled/styled.

See, I think the model makes the dress look matronly. The contrast between the shoes and dress are too great. Thank goodness Kate wore better shoes! I never even paid attention to the length of Meghan's dresses so I had to think back to the lengths. She usually has a slit or a button undone at the bottom. She also tends to have low or off the shoulder necklines so maybe nobody pays attention to the hemlines. I don't care for Meghan's hair or her clothes so my eye goes straight to her shoes and her purses which are always wonderful. I hope she never succumbs to the clutch habit.

Karen, agree on your observation. Kate hasn't quite mastered the right look for midi dresses. I personally think many of her midi dresses look matronly because she usually wears long sleeves on midi dresses and they're always buttoned up all the way to the top or have a crew neck. Add to that the loose A-line style she picks nearly every time. All these elements together are just too much and make the dresses look stiff and boring. Short sleeves or an interesting neckline or a more figure hugging skirt would all the difference.

lol, the way the model wears the dress and the choice of shoes is exactly on trend. It’s not at all matronly. I see this look all the time where live with young 20 somethings (high collar dress with sneaker type shoes) Kate’s way of wearing it looks professional, hence the appeal to women a bit older (30s and above).

I'm with you, Jane. Although the dress doesn't cause me heart palpitations, it's just so nice to see Kate doing events again. I'm so excited for the future of royal watching! This big, extended, family is on the move. Lots going on and lots to follow.

I'm going to start assuming that Kate will have fabulous hair and a dowdy dress for this seemingly annual event but I do like this brown one more than the poppy bathrobe! Great to see some pics though and she looks very happy.

I have mixed feelings on the dress. The sight of it doesn't make me gasp with delight and think "gosh, where did Kate or her stylist find such an unusual/trendy/fashion-forward/gorgeous dress?" On the other hand, it is EXACTLY the style of dress that works so well in the closets of professional women where I live and is a style I'd buy. It would look different with an added solid-color jacket or a color-coordinated silky scarf at the neck, it might work with a vest (American meaning of the word "vest"), it could be worn with different colored tights, it could be worn with dress boots/booties or with a different belt, with added jewelry and a shawl or velvet jacket it could be worn out to dinner after work, its length is good for many workplaces...so in that regard it's a great dress! Much more practical for extended use than many of Kate's trendier daydresses (such as the ones from the "attic chic" period, the "prairie dress" period or the "is-that-a-tunic-top-or-a-dress" mini-dress period during her last pregnancy.) The color also looks very nice on Kate. But since *most* of Kate's dresses are worn only once in public (something I'll never really understand), what I see as the advantages of this dress don't really apply to her. Hence, my mixed feelings.

Lizzie, I agree. It's very similar to the MK floral dress she wore to M&H's wedding rehearsal. I went out and bought that and it suits my professional wardrobe very well- conservative, easy to wear, tailored. I clicked over to purchase this dress- I actually really like the color, but the price point combined with reviews that said the quality was lacking meant it wasn't for me. I could easily see this dress replicated by a store like Loft in the US at the $160-170 price point and many women buying it to wear professionally. Overall a nice look for Kate I think.

This dress also reminds me of the brown shirt dress with the diamond pattern that she had on when a reporter asked her to comment on Meghan and Harry's engagement, which I think had taken place the day before. That dress was really appropriate for early maternity wear. Shirt dresses can look professional, but I think they can also look trendy with the sleeves pushed up and the collar turned up. It really depends on the occasion; they are very versatile. Kate has worn shirt dresses a few times for professional engagements, and I think they work well.

I wonder if she and Piopa got their new little guys together for a baby wiggle. Louis must be rolling around by now or close to crawling. It’s nice they have babies so close together. The new h&m baby will fit right in.

Kate looks great, rested and confident, and the dress is appropriate. For the people who were upset at me earlier this week for criticizing Meghan's constant pricy outfits, this one rings in under $300 USD (under 200 GBP) AND is easy to locate for purchase (it can be found at numerous department stores) and more budget friendly than a majority of Meghan's outfits (many of Kate's outfits are budget friendly). If I feel like splurging I can afford a good chunk of Kate's working clothes...I can't afford Meghan's working clothes unless I'm willing to give up a mortgage payment...or two or three ;-)I think it's also great to see William & Kate have a great relationship with a media outlet!~ A

Like the dress and Catherine looks great. The young people enjoyed themselves--one was impressed by the variety of biscuits. Nice to see they are encouraging young people.Next week is school half-tern, so I rather suspect Catherine will be with the children,possibly in Norfolk.

Kate is beautiful and always looks appropriate for the event. I personally do not care for this style of dress. I do like her choice of affordable fashion for some of her work and off duty outings. I think this is something she has handled well over the years. Bespoke when the occasion needs her to represent herself as a senior royal and at times high street fashion that is within many ladies reach.

I do NOT remember that 2016 dress at all!!! How did I miss that? Guess I'm going to have to look back and familiarize myself. For me, I love the shirt dress, even at midi length. I think she looks lovely. Radiant, in fact!-TMM

Jane off topic but I was on your twitter feed and I cannot believe some of the nasty comments you received from Meghan fans abot making a. Moment about always wearing black or dark colors on the tour and to accuse you of being racist because you supposedly don’t say anything nice about Meghan. I disagree with them Jsbe, you have always had nice comments about Meghan and I abhor those fans that accuse making any negative comments about Meghan, that we are racist. I love your blog Jane and I respect your comments and all the great work you do with the blog.

Sadly, there are those who will accuse anyone of being racist if you don't give only glowing reports of perfection. It's ridiculous because nobody is perfect and, apparently, nobody is entitled to an opinion if it's not praising something worn by a person of color. I am only following what Harry is doing with Invictus and ignoring the rest of their tour because of the attitude that has been cultivated by others surrounding the Duchess of Sussex.

I think Kate looks lovely, as always. Her refinement shines through no matter what she wears. I love that she is not flashy or super trendy. IMO she is the epitome of classic elegance that comes from within. Her quiet sophistication remains intact, thankfully.

Kate’s dress was very lovely on her and the color was dazzling. I appreciate she wears a variety of clothes from all price ranges. Jane do you have any insight on the name of Pippa’s baby boy ? meaghan has worn a variety of clothing styles on her first royal tour with dashing Prince Harry. . I think she is experimenting or at least her candanian friend is trying to make a choice wha t might be appropriate for a new member ofmthe Bristish Royal family. A difficult challenge if you are not familiar with the correct protocol.

Some of the ensembles Mehhan has debuted have been spot on & others have made me cringe because they seem too much like the focus was on style than function (I’m think specifically of over-reliance on large coats). I hope Jessica Mulroneys “help” is used for a transition period and then Meghan moves on to a qualified royal stylist.

It would be nice to see Kate tonight with Royal Order sash. Highly unlikely. Have have read on other social media sites that people think that the queen will give Meghan the Royal Order since Ethan has proven her hard work to begin with and even her work ethic for this tour. Any thoughts that the Queen would do this for Meghan and not Kate this early? Thanks

It would be nice to see Kate tonight with Royal Order sash. Highly unlikely. Have have read on other social media sites that people think that the queen will give Meghan the Royal Order since Ethan has proven her hard work to begin with and even her work ethic for this tour. Any thoughts that the Queen would do this for Meghan and not Kate this early? Thanks

Um. Not true. Kate's had the order since last year and it's on glass. Check it out on her at the state dinner. Why so mean about Katherine. Megan and Harry are still learning the ropes. It's nice they have so much support from William and Katherine.

Thanks, grtlk. She apparently had it around the time of the Diplomatic Reception 2017, before M&H were even engaged. Goes to show one how much one can rely on "social media" for accuracy. And maybe speaks to the wisdom of not making value judgements before all the facts are in. The RO is strictly a family gift the monarch bestows on a female BRF member. There's no test to take or check list to complete. Family gifts are given as tokens of affection, not merit awards. If so, it is difficult to determine how the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret "earned" their ROs. Or Anne, for that matter. The royal work came after, not before the gift.I remember the discussions about the RO. I think I suggested that Catherine had it already but was not wearing it or had not been photographed in it. Someone replied it was ridiculous to think she would have it and just put it away in a drawer and not be seen wearing it. I have to make note of some of the times I have been correct because when I'm wrong I am sometimes spectacularly wrong. Ha! Pippa's country wedding.Catherine was seriously blinged out tonight with the Queen's and Diana's jewels. I had a chuckle wondering what Camilla thought of Kate wearing the wedding gift necklace that Edward VII (whose later mistress was Camilla's great-grandmother) gave his bride Alexandra. Although it more or less blends with the Lover's Knot tiara Kate wore tonight, the necklace is rather old fashioned and clunky (on the order of the ruby one she wore for the Spanish State visit) and not at all like the delicate, minimalist pieces Kate usually favors. Not only that--I don't think it went with Kate's gown at all. I can't imagine Kate choosing it on her own.

Someone has a wicked sense of humor. Or wishes to make a point. Somehow I just can't believe that choosing that specific necklace for Catherine, of all the possible necklaces in the Queen's jewel box, was strictly a coincidence. It is also an historically important piece, aside from the connection to Camilla.

Anon 1, I may have been one of the people who said if Kate had an order she wouldn't have "put it away in a drawer" and not worn it when attending state dinners with the Queen. (As I recall, the conversation was not just about the awarding of the Family Order but about whether Kate would wear ivory.) I still think that's true---IMO it would be insulting to HMTQ to be given an order and not wear it at an order-wearing occasion. But according to media accounts Majesty Magazine reports she's had the FO long enough to wear it to the Diplomatic Reception in Dec 2017. If that's true, I don't quite see how that wearing escaped notice even though there were only a few photos of W&K arriving in their car. Perhaps she pinned it on after they were behind the gates at BP? If so, I wonder why it was such a tightly-held secret. Maybe because traditionally details about outfits worn to that event aren't released & photos are limited & it wouldn't have been obvious it was glass not ivory? (IMO it would have been quite odd for KP to break with tradition re: that event to issue a press release about it being glass.)

I think you're right, lizzie. The putting in a drawer discussion part was related to the Order's being on ivory. But it wasn't. The Queen avoided the need to put it safely away by not giving it to Kate until the glass version was available. I think HM is well aware that feelings could be hurt as a number of the female family royals have not received the gift. I think that is why there is no public"award-type" ceremony--other than its being a gift, not an award for good behavior--the order simply shows up on someone's shoulder with no fanfare--at least not by either the Queen or the recipient.And true-the Diplomatic Reception has historically been a low-key affair publicity-wise, without photos usually. I don't think the timing of HM's gift was entirely coincidental since there had been so much press and internet rumbling about her not having the order and why etc.. It almost seemed anti-climatic when she did appear in it.

I still don't understand why she was not wearing it at the white tie Norway State banquet since she had received it several months before and had even worn it, apparently. I think the difference must be that the RO had not yet been photographed on her and she and/or the Queen wished for it to be made public on home territory. The home-court advantage, so to speak. Ha!

Hate this shirt dress so ugly to much like the ugly dresses from the 80s Diana wore. She looks much better in knee length. she a young beautiful princess and should dress accordingly wish she would wear more designer clothes. She looked gorgeous in that blue gown and the pearl and diamond necklace perfect for her and the occasion. I love that she loves vintage and family jewels she looks amazing in them and should wear them more often. :):):)

It seems that the order is a personal gift that remains in the private sphere in terms of presentation and when and where it is worn. Maybe it’s not a cudgel the queen uses to placate blog posters eager to dunn members of her family. Plenty occurs we gave no sense of. That’s why “royal”people have some semblance of mystery.

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Welcome to the blog! I am Jane Barr and I write From Berkshire to Buckingham. I am an American Anglophile-Francophile (Yes, they can co-exist. :)) I have been following Kate since she began dating William at St Andrews. I began the blog in my favorite Starbucks while living in Los Angeles, CA, just before William and Kate married. See my Welcome page (in the navigation bar) for more about the blog, and follow me on Twitter (@princesskate_GB) and Instagram (@fromberkshiretobuckingham) for more of my royal content.